A sheriff in one New Mexico county, who has no county vehicles and isn't allowed to make arrests, is getting support from his colleagues across the U.S.

Marco Lucero, a 28-year veteran cop and former Santa Fe County deputy, makes $6,000 a year as the Los Alamos County sheriff.

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"Running for sheriff, I felt I could help make the office more professional and more functional," Lucero said.

It seems his hands are tied, however. Los Alamos has an unusual rule based on the county charter, which says the sheriff will act as a peace officer and perform the same duties as the police department. But it goes on to say the sheriff can't duplicate what police do.

"I can't get around the issue of having a uniformed, armed badged official operating a vehicle with law enforcement markings and law enforcement lights, (it) creates a de facto patrol authority within the county," said county council member Susan O'Leary.

Now the National Sheriff's Associations are backing Lucero, and say they're contacting the state attorney general to weigh in. They're also requesting a meeting with the governor. They say if need be, they'll take it to court.